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Despite recommendations from at least
three expert committees that all infants receive hepatitis
B vaccine (preferably at birth), routine
vaccination rates have fallen significantly.
This is most likely due to a July 1999
statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the
US Public Health Service suggesting that immunizations be
temporarily delayed until age 2 to 6 months.
This change
was prompted by concerns about thimerosal -- a mercury-containing
preservative -- found in the hepatitis B vaccine.
After the release of a thimerosal-free
vaccine in September 1999, the experts advised healthcare
providers and hospitals to restart their routine hepatitis
B immunization programs.
Pediatrics
2001;107:755-758
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